Bachelor’s Program in Eastern Christian Studies

This is a three-year bachelor’s-degree program which provides students with a thorough grounding in Orthodox Christian theology, history, and practices, and which teaches them how to study and express themselves within an academic context.

Program director: Michael Hjälm, michael.hjalm@ehs.se
Director of Studies: Johan Andersson, johan.andersson@ehs.se
Length: 3 years (full-time) or 4 years (year 1&2 -50% and year 3&4 -100%), 180 ECTS credits
Type of instruction: On-campus or distance learning
Study Pace: (all 4 years) or part-time (years 1&2) and full-time (years 3&4)
Teaching Hours: Daytime
Language of Instruction: English
Location: Full-time: Year 1 Södertälje; Years 2 & 3 Bromma, Stockholm; part-time: year 1&2 Södertälje, Year 3&4 Bromma
How to apply? Apply through www.universityadmissions.se or www.antagning.se. (from March 15)

Why study Eastern Christian Studies?

The Eastern Churches have taken on a greater significance through their newfound importance and influence in a post-Communist Eastern Europe and their growing presence in Western Europe, primarily through the presence of large numbers of immigrants from historically Orthodox countries or regions. In addition, Orthodox churches are both an ancient and more recent presence in Africa and East Asia. Understanding the Eastern Churches, their history, their beliefs, their practices and their organization and structures has never been more important. The BTh in Eastern Christian Studies provides a fascinating and timely introduction to one of the world’s oldest, largest and most significant Christian traditions.

Program objectives

The Sankt Ignatios bachelor’s degree program in Eastern Christian studies has three aims:

• To provide a scholarly and accessible introduction to the variety of topics in Eastern Christian Studies;
• to teach students the necessary analytical and critical skills necessary to engage with academic subjects at university level; and
• to learn to think independently.

Program outcomes

By the end of the program students will:

• possess a good awareness of the nature and scope of Eastern Christian studies
• be able to independently assess and evaluate ideas and theories,
• understand and use appropriate methodology,
• critically read and analyze original texts,
• communicate their own views and ideas clearly and logically and
• be able to conduct and analyze research within this field.

Structure of the program

Sankt Ignatios offers its B.Th. in a flexible degree program that can be pursued in a variety of ways. There are 5 study options available for this program:

• Full-time, 3 years, on-campus
• Part-time: year 1 &2 (50%), Full-time: year 3&4, on-campus
• Full-time, on-line: year 1; full-time on-campus: year 2&3
• Part-time, online: year 1 &2 (50%), Full-time, on-campus: year 3&4
• Full-time, 3 years, on-line

Program Requirements

The applicant must have completed their upper secondary (high school) education. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate the necessary proficiency in English. The entry requirement for studies at the bachelor’s level in Sweden is equivalent to the English 6 course at Swedish upper secondary school. Students from outside Sweden, or students who cannot verify proficiency in English, are required to take an internationally recognized test (e. g., TOEFL, IELTS or equivalent). More information about the required score on internationally recognized English tests can be found at English language requirements (universityadmissions.se); see section Meeting the English requirements with an English test.

For more information please see: Entry requirements (universityadmissions.se)

Cost of study

The program is tuition-free for citizens of Sweden, citizens of an EU / EEA country or of Switzerland who hold a valid Swedish residence permit. Students coming from countries other than those listed above are required to pay tuition fees. See Fees&Finance

As a new student at EHS, you automatically become a member of SEHS – the Student Union at Enskilda Högskolan Stockholm. Membership is free. If you want to leave the union, you can write an email to sehs@ehs.se and we will cancel your membership. Read more about the student union’s work: Membership in the Student Union.

Career prospects

A degree in Eastern Christian Studies equips students for a variety of pastoral roles in the Church and forms the first stage of the two-stage education required to become a Church educator.  The critical, analytical and communication skills learned in the course qualifies graduates to apply for any professional position where a degree level qualification is stipulated as a requirement. The course also provides the necessary preparation for further study at the master’s-degree level.